Page 71 of Salvaging Christmas

“Okay, okay,” said Marcus, holding his palms in the air. “No judgements. I’ll just cook. You want to impress him, don’t you?”

“I guess so.”

“Then bring him here. Is he allergic to any foods?”

“No. At least, not that I know of. Oh heavens, I don’t know. You see, that’s the problem, isn’t it? I barely know him.”

“Trevor,” said Tom, putting his arm around Marcus’ shoulders and kissing his partner on the cheek. “Believe me when I say this. That’s half the fun, really getting to know someone.”

Mrs M had used almost the exact words to him over Christmas. Maybe he had been overthinking things—perhaps he should simply go with the flow.

“Right,” said Marcus, pushing Tom out of the booth. “I have food to cook. And you, Trevor, have a text to send. Tom, come and help me in the kitchen.”

Left alone at the table, he sent a text explaining him working in the closed restaurant and instructing Rudy to knock on the door. He received an instant ‘okay’ in response. Over the next half an hour, to keep himself busy, he finished off his work on the laptop and began process of closing up the scanner and putting paperwork into a file.

Maybe there had been a slight sound, a tiny rush of wind, or perhaps he had sensed someone else in the room, but Trevor looked up to find Rudy standing there, a small holdall hanging from his hand. Weather-proofed in a long overcoat of charcoal wool, smart jeans and an oatmeal crew-cut sweater, he wore a red-and-green tartan scarf loosely tied around his neck. Together with wind-rouged cheeks and slightly tousled hair, he looked adorable. Trevor stood instantly and smiled, even though a sudden burst of nervousness filled him. Rudy’s grin grew wide, his eyes filled with happiness.

“You made it.”

“I did. Front door was open. I’ve locked it behind me. Don’t want any random customers walking in, do we?”

They smiled nervously at each other before Rudy’s gaze dropped to the floor and the smile drained away.

“How’s Cheryl?” he asked.

“Fine. She’s already been up to see Helen. Talking about going up in a plane. But she says the distance thing is difficult. As we both know. Rudy.”

“Yes,” said Rudy, looking up hopefully.

“Any chance of a hug?”

Rudy dropped his holdall, strode forward, and took Trevor’s face in his hands, kissing him firmly and passionately before pulling him into a hug. Then, standing with his arms squeezed around Trevor’s torso, rocking him gently back and forth, Rudy let out a huge sigh.

“I can’t do this anymore,” he breathed in Trevor’s ear.

“Yeah, I—I think I knew.”

Trevor let out a sad sigh of his own and deflated, emptiness filling him. In his head, he had been half-expecting as much, but the sudden emotional wave that filled the empty void caught him unawares. Tears brimmed over while his body trembled uncontrollably.

“Trev? What’s the matter?” said Rudy, his hands lifting Trevor’s face and bringing their gaze level.

“I understand—” said Trevor, all he could manage, as tears ran down his cheeks.

“No, no,” said Rudy, smiling and shaking his head, wiping away Trevor’s tears with his thumbs. “I’m such an idiot. That’s not what I meant. Look, I—I’ve just been for an interview with my old boss. That’s why I’ve been down here. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to jinx things. But he’s opening a new mega-gym in Shipworth—”

“In Kent?” said Trevor, his eyes widening. “That’s the town next to mine.”

“Yes, but let me finish,” said Rudy, his hands draped around Trevor’s neck. “He wants me to manage the whole thing—the fit-out, the operating systems, recruitment—then run the gym for at least a couple of years. It’s similar to what I did in York, but on a bigger scale, so it’s not going to be an issue. And I still get time off to help my dad when he needs me—although he’s talking about selling up. But the only problem is, even though my old boss is not going to have the official opening until May, I need to come back next week to start things rolling. And at the moment, I don’t have anywhere to stay—”

“With me,” said Trevor quickly. “Stay with me.”

A huge smile of relief blossomed across Rudy’s face.

“I was hoping you might offer. He’s giving me a decent housing allowance.”

“Nuh-uh. There’s only one thing I’ll need from you. And lots of it.”

Rudy pushed his nose into the side of Trevor’s neck, his lips brushing beneath the ear.

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